2010 Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has registered the 2010 Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice. The new Code will apply from 1 January 2010.
The Commercial Television Code of Practice covers matters prescribed in section 123 of the Broadcasting Services Act and other matters relating to program content that are of concern to the community including:
· Program classifications;
· Accuracy, fairness and respect for privacy in new and current affairs;
· Advertising time on television;
· Placement of commercials and programs promotions; and
· Complaints handling
The new Code places a number of additional requirements on broadcasters. From 1 March 2010, broadcasters will be required to accept Code complaints made through an electronic lodgement process via the Free TV website. The new Code will also provide increased protection for participants in Reality Television programs and includes amendments to strengthen the consumer advice requirements for MA15+ programs amongst a range of other protections.
The new Code includes an Appendix for the new digital multi-channels. There are two primary changes for the digital multi-channels; an extension of the PG timezones in the morning and afternoons and some more flexibility in the limits for non-program matter. In all other respects, the digital multi-channels will be regulated in the same way as the core channels.
PG time zones for digital multi-channels will now include the hours between 6am – 8.30am and between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays and between 6am and 10am on weekends. These changes will improve choice for viewers in the mix of programming on offer on the digital multi-channels. In order to ensure that viewers are aware of the new rules, a public education campaign will air on the digital multi-channels advising of the changes to the PG timezones. . Furthermore, additional consumer advice (classification warnings) will be provided for PG programs broadcast in the new time zones if the broadcasters determine that certain material may not be expected by parents or guardians of young children.
Parental locks which are available on most digital set-top-boxes and integrated digital televisions are an additional tool for parents who wish to control their children’s viewing. The fact sheet on PG timezones contains come information about parental locks.
The following documents provide further information about the new Code.
Media Release
Registered Code of Practice
Explanatory Note
Fact Sheet - PG Timezones on digital multi-channels
Updated: 18 December 2009